Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-25
OLD POINT.
Preparing To OBSERVE CHRIsTMAs-
THE CHURCHES.
A Big Scheme for Electric Lighting, Bail
way, &c.-Personals and
Briefs
correspondence of the Richmond DIspatch.l

FORTRESS MoNBoE, Va, Dec. %, 49,
The usual preparations are being mace
here for the proper celebration OF Christ
mas. The Episcopal and Catholic
churches have both been handsomely de-
corated for the occasion, but the chill
dren will not have Chrlstmas-tree
owing 10 the prevalence OF measles at
the post
Mr. Arthur L. Rateman, the banker, Of
New York, arrived here this morning,
accompanied by Captain Lloyd, Of the
British army, and a few friends. They
passed up TO Norfolk to inspect the deep.
water terminus Of the Atlantic and Dan
vile railroad, in which Mr.. Bateman IS
largely Interested. and returned TO New
York this afternoon.
General john G. Tidball, post com
mander. is having an estimate made of
the probable cost of lighting the Govern
ment buildings both Inside and out with
electricity. A company comprising
General James A. Nagley, ex-member OF
Congress. of Pittsburgh, Pa, and other
prominent capitalists has been organized
with a view to establishing m electric
street-railway between Old Point and
Hampton aud furnishing electric lights
for the Soldiers Home, Normal School
aud Hampton, and also the Hygela
Hotel and the garrison. There was
a horse railroad in operation here
before the war, and with the
present large volume OF travel the in
vestment would no doubt prove a good
one. 1t is understood. if the necessary
permission can be obtained, the company
will establish their plant nearly opposite
the Soldiers Home, from whichthey could
readily supply the electric lights 10 the
points named with enough lotent power
left to supply Cbamberlain's Hotel when
il shall have been completed. This Is
the first instance since the war that
organized northern capital has come into
this section to seek an investment, and
rs an improvement of this kind is
greatly needed, it is hoped they will
meet with proper encouragement and be
able to carry their plans to a successful
issue.
A number Of the young officers Of the
Artillery School are OF for short leaves
of absence visiting their homes. Major
aud Mrs. J. Ii. CnIef have gone to Mas
sachusctts, Lieutenant Hawthorne TO
Kentucky, Lieutenant Hancock to Wash
ington. and Lieutenant Walker TO New
York.
Lieutcnants S. VI. Footo and J. c. w.
brooks and Miss Mary Derby left on
Tuesday evening for Carlisle, "a, 20 at
tend the wedding OF Miss Susie b..
Lane-the gentlemen as ushers and Miss
Derby rs bridesmaid.
\ number Of the young people are
home from school for the holidays--Niss
Miss Susie Tidball, from Philadelphia I;
MIR. Ferdnan Kobbe, from Petersburg !;
Mr.. Benjamin Brooke, from Phlladol-
phia; Frank and Harry Phoebus, from
Sing Sing. y. \.
The contract for builiing the new iron
wharf at the post. authorized by the last
Congress, has been awarded to the drO-
ton Iron Company, Of GrOton, y. l..
Mr.. James Ware. superintendent of the
engineers department, leaves for that
place on Monday to inspect the material
as it is being manufactured. This viii
occupy about three months, when it will
be sent here, and work pushed forward
as rapidly as possible.
Mrs. Major Arnold, who has been
visiting her family in New York for the
past three weeks, returned home on
Wednesday.
Colonel Charles Candy. WHO served
here about ten years rs chief clerk in
the quartermaster's department, has
been appointed commssary OF subslst-
cnce at the National Soldiers Home,
and Will enter upon his duties about the
LIST of January. Colonel Candy COM
manded the Sixty-sixth Ohio volunteers
during the war, and won his stars during
the Atlanta campaign.
Mr.. J. NJ. Kippox. chief clerk TO Ma
ior Arnold, commanding the arsenal, ar
rived here from San Antonio Sunday
morning Is.